William Lipovsky
Whether or not you can return alcohol depends on the store and where you live.
Stores are not required to accept alcohol returns, and, in some states, it’s illegal to do so. But in states where it is legal, you may be able to return alcohol to specific stores.
It is also worth noting that military bases and Indian reservations can have stricter rules for the sale and return of alcohol.[1][2]
For more details on alcohol return policies and state laws, see below.
Alcohol Return Policies at Major Vendors
We contacted a few major retailers, including ABC liquor stores, AmazonFresh, Costco, Sam’s Club, Target, Total Wine, and Walmart, to ask about their alcohol return policies. We’ve outlined the store policies below.
ABC Liquor Stores
Store policies will depend on state and local laws. The designation “ABC” on a liquor store stands for “Alcoholic Beverage Control” or “Alcoholic Beverage Commission.” In 17 states, known as “control states,” alcoholic beverages are tightly controlled by the state agency. Some control states have a total monopoly on alcohol sales, while others allow some beverages — like beer and wine — to be sold by privately-owned stores.
Note: while Maryland is not a control state, Montgomery County in Maryland is a control county.
AmazonFresh
Grocery items, including alcohol, are not returnable. You may be able to get a refund if the item arrives damaged or is otherwise undrinkable. Refunds are issued up to 30 days after delivery.
Costco
You can return alcohol to stores where it’s legal to do so. Costco does not typically require you to bring a receipt to return an item, but some local laws only allow alcohol returns by the original purchaser, so you may need to bring your receipt. Contact your local Costco for details.
Sam’s Club
You can return alcohol with a receipt to the store where you bought it, where it is legal to do so. Without a receipt, you may be able to get store credit. Contact your local Sam’s Club for details.
Target
If it is legal in your state, you can return alcohol only to stores that sell alcohol and only during hours of alcohol sales, a customer service representative said. For example, if your state prohibits alcohol sales on Sundays, you cannot return alcohol on a Sunday.
Total Wine
You may be able to return alcohol, depending on your location. Total Wine stores in California, Georgia, and Wisconsin will only accept returns if the item was purchased in error or it is unfit for consumption. In other states, you should be able to return alcohol to the store where you bought it, where it is legal to do so. For online orders, contact Total Wine customer service for instructions.
Walmart
Unopened alcohol can only be returned with a receipt to the store where it was purchased, where it is legal to do so. Contact your local Walmart for details.
Alcohol Return Laws by State
We’ve outlined alcohol return laws by state below. Keep in mind that state laws can change, and state agencies can change the way they enforce the law.
Note: Even in states where returns are legal, stores are not required to accept alcohol returns.
Alabama
Alcohol sales are regulated by the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control board, which operates ABC liquor stores.[3] Private stores in some areas are allowed to sell beer, wine, and liquor. Alabama laws vary by city and county.
Alaska
Alaska retailers are not allowed to buy alcohol from anyone except a licensed dealer. Some stores may consider this a ban on returns.
Arizona
Arizona retailers may accept alcohol returns at their discretion.[4]
Arkansas
Arkansas laws regarding alcohol sales and returns vary by county. Go here to view a map of wet and dry counties in Arkansas.
California
Returns are only allowed in California if the item is spoiled or unfit for consumption.
Colorado
Colorado state regulations permit retailers to make returns to wholesalers and require unused products from charity events to be returned. Customer returns aren’t specified, but they appear to be allowed; Argonaut Wine & Liquor in Denver accepts alcohol returns.
Connecticut
The unauthorized sale of alcohol without a permit is illegal in Connecticut. Some stores may consider this a ban on returns.
Delaware
Customers can return alcohol in Delaware if the retailer allows it.[5] Organizers of licensed gatherings where alcohol is sold (i.e., a charity event) may return unopened bottles within 30 days.
Florida
Florida state regulations allow vendors to return unopened alcohol to the distributor.[6] Customer returns aren’t specified, but they appear to be allowed; ABC Fine Wine and Liquor accepts returns within 30 days.
Georgia
Alcohol returns in Georgia are not allowed. Some stores may make an exception if the product is unfit for consumption or was purchased in error.[7]
Hawaii
There are no laws or regulations in Hawaii prohibiting alcohol returns.
Idaho
Idaho is a control state. Private stores can sell beer and wine, but hard liquor is only sold at state-run locations.[8] There are no specific provisions about alcohol returns in Idaho statutes.
Illinois
Retailers are permitted to return alcohol for “ordinary and usual commercial reasons.” Customer returns are allowed in some locations; Lively Liquor in Elk Grove Village accepts returns of unopened bottles still in the condition in which they were bought.
Indiana
Alcohol purchases from anyone without a permit are not allowed in Indiana. Some stores may consider this a ban on returns.
Iowa
Iowa retailers are allowed to make returns to wholesalers.[9] Customer returns aren’t specified in Iowa’s regulations.
Kansas
The official handbook for Kansas retailers states that alcohol can be returned by customers within 24 hours if it is “damaged or deteriorated in quality.”
Kentucky
There are no Kentucky state laws on alcohol returns, but Kentucky has “wet” and “dry” cities and counties, so laws vary by location.
Louisiana
Unused alcohol may be returned after special events in Louisiana with a temporary liquor permit. Wholesalers may also accept alcohol returns for ordinary and usual commercial reasons like spoilage, breakage, leaks, etc.[10] Customer returns aren’t specified in Louisiana laws.
Maine
Alcohol can only be returned within 10 days with a receipt.
Maryland
Montgomery County in Maryland is a control county. In Montgomery County, you can return unopened alcohol with a receipt within 30 days. Other Maryland laws may vary.
Massachusetts
Alcohol returns are allowed in Massachusetts for “ordinary and usual commercial reasons.”
Michigan
Alcohol returns are only allowed if the product is damaged, spoiled, or contaminated — or if the container is damaged.
Minnesota
Retailers may offer a money-back satisfaction guarantee on alcohol purchases.
Mississippi
Stores may accept alcohol returns for refund or exchange with the original receipt.
Missouri
Retailers may offer a money-back guarantee on alcohol purchases.
Montana
State law prohibits retailers from purchasing alcohol from any source except a licensed distributor. Some stores — like Montana Spirits and Wine — consider this a ban on returns.
Nebraska
Retailers may not advertise any guarantee of refund or exchange on alcohol purchases.
Nevada
The State of Nevada does not regulate retail alcohol sales; retail laws are set at the city and county level, so rules will vary by your location.
New Hampshire
Customer returns aren’t specified in state alcohol laws. However, the New Hampshire Liquor and Wine Outlet allows alcohol returns within 30 days of purchase with a receipt.
New Jersey
Customer returns aren’t specified in state rules for retailers. However, Joe Canal’s Discount Liquor Outlet in Lawrenceville, N.J., accepts unopened alcohol returns within 30 days with a receipt.
New Mexico
State law allows returns to a wholesaler for “ordinary and usual commercial reasons.” Customer returns aren’t specified.
New York
Stores may accept returns at their discretion. For more information, visit the New York State Liquor Authority’s website.
North Carolina
State-run stores abide by North Carolina county and city regulations on alcohol returns. Some allow returns and others don’t.
North Dakota
Customer alcohol returns aren’t specified in state regulations. North Dakota allows city and county governments to make laws that may be more strict, so rules may vary by location.
Ohio
Distributors can accept alcohol returns from retailers if the product is damaged or has become “unpalatable.”
Oklahoma
Retailers can’t return any merchandise unless it was delivered in error. Customer alcohol returns aren’t specified in Oklahoma regulations.
Oregon
Customer alcohol returns aren’t specified in state laws or liquor control rules, but retailers may only return expired or damaged products to wholesalers.
Pennsylvania
Alcohol purchased from a state-run store in Pennsylvania may be returned within 30 days with a receipt. Online purchases may be returned to a physical store.
Rhode Island
Customer alcohol returns are not specified in state laws or regulations. However, Knights Liquor Warehouse in Johnston, RI accepts returns on defective wine within 30 days with the original receipt.
South Carolina
Customer alcohol returns are not specified in South Carolina state laws.
South Dakota
Retailers can only purchase or receive alcohol from licensed wholesalers. Some stores may consider this a ban on returns.
Tennessee
Retailers may return damaged or unsalable products to the wholesaler. Customer alcohol returns are not specified. Cities and counties are also allowed to make laws restricting retail practices, so rules may vary by location.
Texas
Retailers may return alcoholic beverages to a wholesaler if the product is damaged or unfit for consumption. Customer alcohol returns are not specified. However, SPEC’S in Texas accepts alcohol returns in the original packaging with a receipt within 30 days of purchase.
Utah
In Utah, you can return alcohol that’s spoiled, leaking, or contaminated. Unopened containers of in-stock items may be returned at the store manager’s discretion.
Vermont
Customer alcohol returns aren’t specified in Vermont laws and regulations.
Virginia
Purchases from state ABC liquor stores in Virginia can be returned within 45 days for a refund with your receipt. Returns made after 45 days will be made as store credit.
Washington
Washington state liquor stores accept returns of unopened, saleable merchandise.
West Virginia
West Virginia legislative rules governing alcohol sales state that customers may return the unused portion of defective or spoiled products and that retailers may offer a satisfaction guarantee with a promise of a refund.
Wisconsin
Customer alcohol returns aren’t specified in Wisconsin laws and regulations, but towns are allowed to make their own laws on alcohol control, so laws may vary by location.
Wyoming
Customer alcohol returns aren’t specified in Wyoming laws and regulations. However, The Liquor Store in Jackon, WY accepts returns in original conditioning and packaging with a receipt.
